!PROJECT! KZ650 Cafe racer

[zeiss150]

thanks for the comment Kawboy. Its funny how everyone has a vision of how something should turn out... and when its different, your brain kinda go's .... naaaaaaa. I love the old English, but that's what I've had in my mind since before I started the build.

What sort of design did you have in your mind?

At least you think I did a good job with the goldleaf. I love the look of goldleaf its so ..."in your face" hahaha.

Thanks again kawboy and I'd love to hear what you would have done.

Matt-

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by zeiss150

So...What do you guys think? Does it suck... Should I be embarrassed? Or do you like it?

Thanks guys, I'll be waiting for your opinions.

Matt-

Honestly.....I dont like it either. I do like the seat and the tail section though.....everything is spot on. I personally would NOT run turn signals at all....but thats a comfort/legal issue that I wont ding a person for at all. In my area I dont legally have to have them and I fell comfortable without them....and I think most bikes look real clean without them.....so I leave them off. YMMV.

The gold leaf is where you lost me to. The thing is with the gold frame your kinda committed to the color gold in a big way. I would have chosen red most likely....but its not my bike so gold is what ya got.

Have you considered something completely different. I dont have them on my bike yet but I ordered some checkered racing stripes for my cafe bike of scambay.

This is the auction....doesnt list gold as an option but they may be able to do it and if not you can find someone that can.

Cafe Racer checker decal :eBay Motors (item 250395828166 end time May-24-09 06:46:11 PDT)

This is the stripes I bought (their bike, not mine)




......and for giggles here is my beater cafe.

1975 Honda 400-four supersport

[Torques]

Originally Posted by zeiss150

The New XR1200 is a pretty bike. Its to pretty. I was thinking of something a little more like this!

Holy crap, what bike is that?

[anamosity]

That thing is really coming together nicely.
Congrats on the hard work and sweat.

[NCDave]

Great gold work....still waiting to see the finished product!!!

[antiq]

Looks good from my house!

[Ninja Noob]

That's awesome. I got a 79 kz650 in parts that was running and driving before it got taken apart. Let me know if you're having trouble finding some parts.

[zeiss150]

Thanks for the comments guys! Its nice to hear what others think about what I've done. I should be able to finish up the tank today and clear coat it. I'll get some pictures up when I get it all done.

Ninja Noob... I need a left plastic side cover.... Do you have one? And is it a KZ650 or is it a Ltd650 side cover? If you're willing to get rid of it let me know how much you want for it.

Torques.... That's a harley Sportster I think its a 1960's 883 or something like that. That's going to be my next motorcycle project.

Thanks guys Stay tuned.

Matt-

[NCDave]

I was wondering what you were going to do on the sides Matt. I liked the diamond plate in one of the pics too. Looking forward to seeing the latest.

[elr658]

1979-1984 Sportster 1000. You can tell because it has twin disc brakes on the front and a triangular oil tank. It's an Ironhead so it's cheap. If you haven't got the raw material yet, DON'T get a 1979 as it's the year where NOTHING'S available. (Unless you're a fabricator)

[zeiss150]

Hey ELR ... I didn't realize that it was that late of a sportster. My plan is to the the latest Iron head I can find. I know the Evo is a better engine but I like the way the Iron head looks. I'm not looking for big hp oh that build so ... the 883 should be a great engine for me. I'm not sure what year they stopped making the Iron head engine but that's the year I want. I also think some of the later years were 1000 or 1100's which is fine... as long as its an iron head.

Thanks, matt-

[Torques]

Wikipedia says "1985 Last year for the "Ironhead" overhead-valve engine"

[elr658]

First of all, up to 1972 is a 900 Sportster. (Although 883ccs) Post 72 is 1000ccs. If you're not looking for power, you won't be disappointed.

[alteredzx-10]

zeiss150, great job man. That looks awesome. Hopefully when I am done it will look as good. Great Job bro!!

[jlz52204]

nice bike your doin great work

[zeiss150]

Thanks for the nice comments guys! I took the weekend off working on the bike. I'll finish up the tank tomorrow and post up some pictures. I'm really happy with the way its coming out.


Matt-

[zeiss150]

Hello my Kawi friends! I finished the tank. I think it looks pretty damn good. Its not show quality level but... its not a show bike. I know that some people don't like the look of old English and they don't like the gold leaf but I love it. It's exactly what I wanted the tank to look like.

I finished up the gold leaf and pin striping and I put down a few coats of clear. Here is what that looks like...





Its nice and shiny, but it has a lot of orange peal. I'll be color sanding and polishing the tank in a week or so once the clear is "dry".

I'll post up some picture with the tank on the bike a little later today.

Stay tuned!

Matt-

[NCDave]

Aw man...that's ugly!

Can't wait to see it on the bike! What are ya waiting for???!!!

[Torques]

Originally Posted by zeiss150

Hello my Kawi friends! I finished the tank. I think it looks pretty damn good. Its not show quality level but... its not a show bike. I know that some people don't like the look of old English and they don't like the gold leaf but I love it. It's exactly what I wanted the tank to look like.

I finished up the gold leaf and pin striping and I put down a few coats of clear. Here is what that looks like...



Its nice and shiny, but it has a lot of orange peal. I'll be color sanding and polishing the tank in a week or so once the clear is "dry".

I'll post up some picture with the tank on the bike a little later today.

Stay tuned!

Matt-

That's absolutely beautiful!!

[anakinkenobe]

Where did you get your tank at?